Lawsuit aims to halt CA crackdown on medical pot

November 7, 2011 8:35:31 AM PST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. --

A growing coalition of California medical marijuana supporters are ready to go to court to fight the federal government's efforts to shut them down.

On Monday, lawyers will file a federal lawsuit in each of California's four federal districts seeking an immediate halt to a new statewide crackdown. Federal authorities have been telling property owners they could face federal drug charges by renting to pot dispensary operators.

The medical marijuana industry wants the courts to force the feds to come to a resolution without making threats of long prison sentences or forfeiting property.

Medical marijuana advocates claim the crackdown is out of line because medical marijuana is legal under state law.